Fund ‘to keep Welsh patients out of hospital’ gains extra £20m

The Welsh Government has announced that it is to invest a further £20m to reduce pressure on hospitals by supporting patients in their own homes and local communities.

The money forms part of the intermediate care fund, which was originally set up with £35m from the 2014-15 budget, but for one year only.

It went to schemes to promote integrated working by health and social care services, with the aim of improving outcomes for older people and cutting pressure on unscheduled care.

Of the further £20m allocated to the fund this year, £17.5m will go on continuing projects that had proven to be successful in helping older and vulnerable people remain in their own homes.

“This will help ease pressures on hospital-based services”

Mark Drakeford

The remaining £2.5m will be spent on spreading good practice from regional partnerships across Wales.

Examples of how the money has been spent so far include the introduction of “nurse navigators” in emergency departments in North Wales, which have led to admissions being avoided, faster discharges and more transfers to community hospitals.

The Welsh Government also said the investment would be “recurrent”, and would create a £20m-a-year fund.

Health and social services minister Mark Drakeford said: “The £20m we are investing in community-based services will help keep people out of hospital and in their own homes. This will help ease pressures on hospital-based services.

“The investments we’ve already made over the last 12 months have enabled health, housing and social services, along with the third and independent sectors, to work together on some very innovative projects across Wales,” he added.

“Nurses are aware that when possible, it is best to provide care in a patient’s own surroundings”

Tina Donnelly

The Royal College of Nursing in Wales welcomed the investment in the intermediate care fund.

Tina Donnelly, director of RCN Wales, said: “Funds such as this are vital if we are to improve Wales’ community care infrastructures, which will allow nurses and fellow healthcare professionals provide the highest standards of the care to patients.

“We would hope to see funds allocated to those who will benefit most; with a focus on the vulnerable and elderly who can find comfort from being treated in a familiar setting, such as their homes,” she said.

“As advocates for patients, nurses are aware that when possible, it is best to provide care in a patient’s own surroundings – helping to reduce the anxiety that can be related to hospital admission,” she added.

The Liberal Democrats would launch a range of policies designed to bring health and social care together, including moving towards fully pooled local budgets, if they get into power at the general election.

At least 18,000 social workers, therapists and health professionals will provide help for patients in or near home across England, under a £5.3bn push to slash unnecessary hospital visits and stays being hailed by health secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Readers' comments (2)

All of these patients will end up in the hospital, and usually in a much worst state than residents/patients in the nursing homes.
Keeping the disabled, elderly patients at home creates far more problems in a longer term.

HCSW
Absolutely correct, why is it when the Public are given real choice they themselves they choose Nursing Homes and Care Homes , why do the Councils Social Services ignore them and keep promoting 15min a visit "Care at home" and yet continually rubbish the Public's proferred option (450 thousand people living happilly in Care Homes)TThe Care at Home system is total nightmare it can never work no matter the amount of money is thrown at it. The logistical Problems are a nightmare, it is hard enough to ensure good care in a controlled environment as we all know hav't the Councils understood this yet with their experience gained to date. maybe not as all the ills of this system seems to be blaimed on their subcontractors, no blaim on their bad management of course

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